“We wanted to open it for the fall because Northeast Ohio has such a spectacular autumn,” said spokeswoman Vicki McDonald.

The structures are the first of their kind in the region and a considered the “crowning achievement” of Holden’s $8.9 million New Leaf capital campaign.

“Holden is proud to offer our visitors one of the most phenomenal experiences found at any public garden in the United States,” said CEO and President Clem Hamilton. “I can’t wait to see our guests’ responses … ”

The canopy walk is a 500-foot-long, elevated walkway built 65 feet above the valley. The first platform is ADA-accessible.

The pair are about a half-mile from the Warren H. Corning Visitor Center. They will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., April 1 through Nov. 1.

“On nice weekends, we’ll open it up for guests to enjoy — even through winter — if we have a nice week,” McDonald said.

The visitor experience

Members will be able to access the walkway and tower at no charge once a day, as will nonmembers. However, nonmembers will need to pay a fee: $4 for adults and $2 for children, in addition to arboretum admission.

“The reason there is a charge for nonmembers is because we now have to staff the structures,” McDonald said. “We want to encourage membership and we want to be sure we can provide a safe experience for our guests.”

The structures are secured with locks when not in use.

All those wanting access must obtain a ticket from the Visitor Center.

“If you walk all the way out there without a ticket, you’ll be disappointed,” she said.

The ticketing system is intended to help with crowd control. Staff will be asked to limit the number of users per structure to 50 at a time.

“The structure certainly can hold significantly more, but we want to be able to evacuate it quickly (if necessary),” McDonald said.

Along with the fun element, the new features will serve to help further the arboretum’s vision to create sustainable and healthy communities through visitor engagement, research and education.

“It’s a way to present or serve our mission, one of our strategic purposes, which is conserving native forest,” said Brian Parsons, planning and special projects director. “(And) hopefully, it will attract new members.”

The Holden Arboretum is one of the largest arboreta in the country, home to more than 3,600 acres of protected natural areas, hiking trails and curated plant collections. About 15,000 students a year are served by its educational programs.

The New Leaf capital campaign, concluded in 2013, is being used to advance the vision via funding a number of other visitor enhancements and ecological restorations.

Projects include the recently opened Eliot and Linda Paine Rhododendron Discovery Garden, the R. Henry Norweb Jr. Tree Allée, an 8-foot high deer fence, and Corning Lake and Lotus Pond restoration. All are to be complete by Labor Day weekend.